Processes and systems for treating oil and gas wells

Abstract

Systems and processes are provided for removing fluid from a subterranean well and enhancing the production of oil and/or gas are herein disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an injection conduit, an injection valve, a relief valve, a container, a container valve, a return conduit valve, and a return conduit, all arranged within a subterranean well for removing at least one fluid from the well. The removal of at least one fluid from the well is controlled by the flow of gas into the injection conduit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tool capable of being spooled into a fluid layer through a production tubing without disturbing the production tubing for removing fluid from a subterranean well to allow enhanced hydrocarbon production through a production string comprising:
 a container positioned in a subterranean well; 
 a gas injection conduit, independent from the production string, in fluid communication with the container for providing a fluid path for injecting an injection gas from an earth surface proximate location into the container; 
 a fluid return conduit, independent from the production string, in fluid communication with the container for providing a fluid path for transferring at least one subterranean fluid from the container to an earth surface proximate location; 
 a gas injection valve that defines an interface between the gas injection conduit and the container; 
 a relief valve that defines an interface between the subterranean well and the container; 
 a return valve that defines an interface between the fluid return conduit and the container; and, 
 a container valve that defines an interface between the subterranean well and the container; wherein the relief valve is positioned on the system at subterranean depth above the container valve, wherein the gas injection conduit and the fluid return conduit are within the tool, and 
 further comprising a gas injection valve orientation, wherein the gas injection valve and the return valve are closed, and the relief valve and container valve are open, resulting in fluid entering the return conduit; and, a second valve orientation, wherein the gas injection valve and the return valve are open, and the relief valve and container valve are closed; and wherein the second valve orientation pressurizes the container. 
 
     
     
       2. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first hydraulic umbilical; and, a hydraulic actuator for controlling the orientation of at least one of the gas injection, relief, return or container valves and responsive to a hydraulic power signal sent through the first hydraulic umbilical from an earth surface proximate location. 
 
     
     
       3. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a hydraulic actuator for controlling the orientation of at least one of the gas injection, relief, return or container valves and responsive to a hydraulic power signal sent through the gas injection conduit from an earth surface proximate location. 
     
     
       4. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electrically conductive umbilical and an electric actuator for controlling the orientation of at least one of the gas injection, relief, return or container valves and responsive to an electrical power signal sent through the electrically conductive umbilical from an earth surface proximate location. 
 
     
     
       5. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an actuator for controlling the orientation of at least one of the gas injection, relief, return or container valves comprising: 
 a communications receiver for receiving a communication signal sent from an earth surface proximate location; a local electrical power source for powering the actuator; and 
 a controller responsive to the communication signal sent from an earth surface proximate location.